How Can Your Business Win With Team Augmentation?

You must have heard about “staff augmentation” if you are involved with key decisions.

Or you might already be contemplating experimenting with team augmentation services.

No matter which route you choose, it’s essential to cover the basics before taking the plunge, so here are some simple steps you can take to get started.

So in this blog, we will delve into what team augmentation is and understand the benefits of team augmentation, for tech enterprises.

Read on to develop more effective business strategies and make better hiring decisions!

What is Staff Augmentation?

Staff augmentation is a type of outsourcing in which an enterprise software development company brings in additional workers from an outside firm to supplement its existing staff. The augmenting team is integrated into the company’s current work processes and systems and typically works alongside the company’s in-house employees to complete a specific project or set of tasks.

The augmenting team is typically managed by the company and is responsible for providing specific skills or expertise that are not available within the company. The goal is to enhance the performance of the internal team, increasing the capacity to deliver results and innovation.

Advantages of Staff Augmentation

1. Access to specialized skills and expertise:

Augmented teams can provide companies with access to specialized skills and expertise that may not be available within the company.

2. Flexibility:

Staff augmentation allows companies to hire additional staff as needed rather than committing to a full-time hire.

3. Reduced costs:

Augmented teams can be less expensive than hiring additional full-time staff, as the augmenting firm typically bears the costs associated with recruitment, training, and benefits.

4. Scalability:

Staff augmentation allows companies to scale their workforce up or down quickly and efficiently, as needed.

5. Increased productivity:

Augmented teams can help companies to increase productivity by providing additional resources to complete tasks and meet deadlines.

6. Reduced risk:

Augmented teams can help companies to reduce the risk of taking on new staff, as the augmenting firm typically handles the recruitment and selection process.

7. Increased innovation:

Augmented teams can bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to a company, which can lead to increased innovation.

8. Access to global talent:

Augmented teams can give companies access to a global pool of talent, which can benefit companies looking to expand into new markets.

9. Ability to focus on core activities:

Companies can focus on their core activities and competencies by outsourcing specific tasks to augmented teams.

Difference Between Staff Augmentation and Team Outsourcing

Staff augmentation and team outsourcing are similar in that both involve bringing in additional workers from outside an enterprise software development company to supplement its existing staff. However, there are some key differences between the two:

Purpose:

Staff augmentation is typically used to supplement the company’s existing staff with specific skills or expertise that are not available within the company. 

Whereas team outsourcing is typically used to transfer ownership and responsibility for a specific function or process to an outside firm.

Integration:

In team augmentation, the augmenting team is integrated into the company’s existing work processes and systems and typically works alongside the company’s in-house employees. In team outsourcing, the outsourcing firm typically takes full responsibility for the outsourced function or process and works independently from the company’s in-house staff.

Flexibility:

staff augmentation allows for a more flexible approach; with the augmenting team working alongside the internal team, you can scale up or down the size of the augmenting team as per the requirement. In team outsourcing, the outsourced function or process is typically more rigid, with the outsourcing firm taking full ownership and responsibility.

Control:

Staff augmentation allows the company more control over the team, and you can expect to manage and direct the augmenting team. In team outsourcing, the company typically has less control over the outsourced function or process and must rely on the outsourcing firm to manage it effectively.

Time frame:

Staff augmentation is typically a short-term solution, whereas team outsourcing can be a long-term commitment, depending on the nature and duration of the contract.

When Should You Opt For Staff Augmentation?

When you want to increase collaboration

Staff augmentation can be an effective solution to increase collaboration within an existing team. By bringing in additional workers from an outside firm with specialized skills or expertise, the augmenting team can provide new perspectives and ideas that can contribute to increased collaboration and innovation within the existing team. The augmenting team can also help fill skill gaps within the existing team, increasing overall productivity and performance.

Additionally, having an augmenting team can bring fresh energy and motivation to the existing team and can provide opportunities for the internal team to learn new skills and techniques from the augmenting team. As the augmenting team is integrated into the company’s existing work processes and systems, they can quickly assimilate into the internal team’s work and culture, leading to a more seamless interaction and collaboration.

When an Expert is Needed

Staff augmentation can be an effective solution when a company needs an expert for a low cost. By bringing in an augmenting team, the company can access specialized skills and expertise that may not be available within the organization at a lower cost than hiring a full-time employee. The augmented team can provide the necessary skills or expertise on a short-term or long-term basis as per the requirement without incurring the costs associated with recruiting, training, and providing benefits for a full-time employee.

Additionally, the augmenting firm typically handles the management and administration of the augmenting team, which can save the company time and resources. This will result in cost savings for the company since the augmenting firm is usually an expert in managing the resource and processes and will have its systems and procedures.

When Budgeting for Projects, not FTEs

Staff augmentation can be an effective solution when budgeting for projects, as it allows a company to bring in additional staff as needed rather than committing to full-time hires (FTEs). This can be beneficial for companies that have a limited budget or are uncertain about their staffing needs in the long term.

With team augmentation, a company can allocate its budget towards specific projects or tasks rather than budget for the ongoing costs of full-time staff. This can also provide the flexibility to scale up or down the number of staff working on a project, as needed, and can be adjusted based on the project’s performance and goals.

In addition,  staff augmentation can also provide the company with a level of predictability for the costs associated with the project, which can help with budget forecasting and decision-making. The company only pays for the staff it needs and the time they are working rather than committing to long-term costs like salary, benefits, and other employee-related expenses. 

Netsmartz’s Top Tips To Follow When Employing Staff Augmentation

1. Clearly define the project’s scope:

Establish clear and specific goals, timelines, and expectations for the project, and communicate them to the augmenting team.  

2. Choose the right augmenting team:

Select an augmenting team with the right skills, experience, and expertise to complete the project effectively. Look for teams with good track records and positive feedback from previous clients.

3. Communicate effectively:

Good communication is key to the success of a staff augmentation project. Regularly communicate with the augmenting team to ensure everyone is on the same page and that the project is progressing as expected.

4. Manage the augmenting team effectively:

Ensure that the team is integrated into the company’s existing work processes and systems and works effectively alongside its in-house employees.

5. Continuously evaluate the team’s performance:

Regularly evaluate the augmenting team’s performance, and be open to making adjustments as needed.

6. Establish clear expectations and rules of engagement:

Establish clear expectations and rules of engagement to ensure that the augmenting team is working effectively within the company’s policies and procedures.

7. Be mindful of the cultural differences:

Be mindful of the differences between the company’s in-house employees and the augmenting team, and take steps to ensure everyone is working correctly.

8. Consider the remote team’s needs:

If the augmenting team is working remotely, consider their need for the tools and resources to work effectively.

9. Transition plan:

At the end of the project or engagement, plan for the transition of the work and knowledge transfer to the internal team.

By following these tips, companies can ensure that their staff augmentation projects are successful and that they can effectively supplement their existing staff with the specialized skills and expertise they need to complete their projects on time and to the desired quality.

In Summary

Staff augmentation is a flexible, cost-effective, and efficient approach to supplement a company’s existing staff with the specialized skills, expertise, and capacities that are unavailable within the company. It can provide a company with a competitive edge and access to specialized skills, expertise, and innovative ideas that can increase productivity, and scalability, reduce costs and reduce risk. Staff augmentation can be a powerful tool to achieve the desired results and outcomes when done correctly.

It’s essential to remember that it is not a one-size-fits-all solution but rather a tailored approach that should be evaluated based on the specific needs and goals of the company. Clear communication, proper management, and regular evaluation are essential for success, and when executed well,  staff augmentation can be an effective way to achieve the company’s objectives.

Why Extend Your Team With Us?

Not just a Developer! We offer a Managed Program Complete with Additional Resources at No Additional Cost. Our experienced software developers, testers, architects, designers, and analysts collaborate to minimize risks, streamline engineering, and enhance delivery on your digital journey.

We bring an integrated suite of services with additional resources, definitive processes, preset IP protection, insurance coverage, and customer engagement models.  Our developers bring years of experience and skills across industries and in varied tech stacks – while we offer a Library of 10,000+ reusable components & codebases for rapid & bug-free development.  Additionally, our 24×7 operations with NO LONG-TERM CONTRACTS, and budget-friendly prices, bring you the ability to extend your software capabilities rapidly and on-demand how Netsmartz helps you Scale your team

1. SET UP

Build your own scalable IT teams using Netsmartz’s pool of highly skilled software developers, QA engineers, product managers, and project managers staffed across 10+ key locations worldwide. It takes less than 48 hours to build teams from scratch or onboard new Cloud employees to existing on-premise or off-site teams.

2. RAMP UP

Keeping in mind the need for flexibility and scalability in software development, we provide you with access to additional talent pools that supplement and extend your software teams and help you hit your milestones faster.

3. DEVELOP

Netsmartz’s readily-available IT resources provide valuable assistance throughout your product or software development cycle. From validating product concepts to discussing roadmaps and building MVPs to developing and deploying complex multi-functional software on any technology.

4. SCALE

Our end-to-end digital solutions are designed to keep future growth and stability in mind. Netsmartz provides the option of integrating your existing teams with our dedicated developers. We assign skilled project managers with hands-on experience in Agile methodologies to facilitate seamless team integration. This enables businesses to ensure efficient knowledge transfer and smoother scaling in their offshore development endeavors.

So, without wasting any more time, talk to our experts NOW.